Let us preface this by saying, between the vajazzling and the peacocking of the privates, we’re not sure we can take much more of these “downtown decorating” trends. However, we’ve been accosted by so many images of fluffy, furry crotches lately, that we decided to delve deeper (ahem).

Last week we learned about Real Housewife of New York alum Cindy Barshop’s newest offering for nether region adornment: the “Foxy Bikini,” which is essentially a merkin made of fox fur and dyed an unnatural color. (PS: you’ll be happy to know that she’s switching to faux fox after PETA and others caused a ruckus.) Then at the Thom Browne menswear show a few weeks ago (left) we noticed some fur (a man-erkin?) peeking out of low cut trousers.

We had to learn more about the history of this colorful accessory. Consider this your Cliff’s Notes for merkins.